Chapter 5
Ethan’s presence was like a magnet, instantly drawing everyone’s attention in the room.
“Oh my God, I had no idea the Thompson family’s oldest son was this handsome! We’ve only heard about his overseas business, never seen him in public. I thought he’d be some plain guy, but he’s straight-up dreamy in person!”
“I know, right? If this wasn’t his engagement party, I’d be begging my dad to arrange a marriage with him!”
Even Rachel, who usually exuded confidence, was caught off guard. She gazed at Ethan with wide eyes, a mix of admiration and shyness.
I shifted my gaze to Ethan as his eyes swept across the room and locked on me.
The truth is, I’d known Ethan longer than Jack. We were childhood friends until he was ten, but when his mother divorced Mr. Thompson, she moved him overseas, and we lost contact.
Two years ago, after my injury left me paralyzed, Ethan shocked me by proposing through my parents. But I was deeply in love with Jack at the time, so I turned him down. I never imagined that, after all the twists and turns, I’d end up marrying Ethan after all.
Whispers spread like wildfire when people noticed the way Ethan was looking at me.
“Wait, isn’t she the fiancée of the second son of the Thompson family? But she’s standing now?!”
“Did you see how they’re looking at each other? It’s like they’re the ones getting married, not Jack and Rachel.”
Ethan cut through the crowd with purpose, his movements deliberate and confident.
Jack, still reeling, was caught off guard by Ethan’s words, but when he finally understood the situation, he rushed over, apologizing in a tone far too respectful:
“Brother, I’m sorry for causing a scene on your big day…”
“You mentioned your fiancée, has she arrived? Once I’m done here, I’ll take Lily over to greet her,” Ethan said smoothly, his tone calm but commanding.
Rachel, ever the victim, started crying dramatically, shifting her attention to Ethan.
“Brother… none of this is Lily’s fault. She’s been paralyzed for years. I totally understand if she feels resentful toward healthy girls like me…”
“It’s such a big day for you, brother. I won’t hold this against Lily. Jack, please, don’t let me cause any more trouble for you…”
Ethan’s cold laugh cut through the room like a knife.
“Who are you to call me ‘brother’?” His voice oozed disdain. “This is Ethan Thompson’s engagement party. Who invited this ungrateful wretch to be here today?”
Rachel’s face turned ashen, but before she could respond, Jack stepped in front of her, his arm protectively around her.
“Brother, Rachel is the student Lily’s been sponsoring. She’s like a little sister to us, so we thought we’d bring her along to experience this moment.”
“Right, Lily?” Jack’s voice was filled with desperation as he reached for me, clearly hoping I’d back him up.
I wasn’t about to cover for them. I stayed silent.
Jack grew increasingly frantic. He reached for me again, but before he could get any closer, Ethan’s eyes narrowed with cold fury. In an instant, a dozen bodyguards closed in, forming a protective barrier around us.
Ethan pulled me firmly to his side, positioning himself in front of me like a shield.
“Jack Thompson,” he said, his voice icy, “Have you completely lost your sense of respect? What kind of man treats his sister-in-law this way?”
He glared at Jack, his voice cutting through the tension: “If you can’t hear me, let me make it clear, what do you think you’re doing, disrespecting her like that?”
